Running Blog

Mayor Michael Bloomberg: Here’s what you could have done

Mr. Mayor, I saw where you were going this week with your passion and insistence about the race going on as planned. You wanted the world to know that New York is the greatest city in the world, and after all the deaths, pain, deprivation and heartbreak Sandy caused, had there been some way the marathon could have been run, you would not only have brought $340 million into the City, money that local businesses had depended on, but you would also have sent a great message of hope and pride: “We are New Yorkers. We will not be beaten.”

I understand the people who blamed you for saying “Yes, we’re going,” then “No, we’re not,” and the difficulty it caused for those entrants who may well have been en route to New York, only to learn they had no hotel, because the hotel managers are also New Yorkers, and their hearts were with the dispossessed who needed a place to stay. New York hotels got it. They wouldn’t defer to some runner from out-of-state when they could help local people in need. They did right.

So what could you have done? I have an idea; perhaps you could have thought of it.

You don’t know us as marathoners. You don’t understand where our hearts are. It never occurred to you that you could have pulled off the greatest coup of physical endurance, determination and love of one another that the combination of natural disaster and endurance sports has ever known.

Mr. Mayor, you could have sat down and written this letter:

“Yes, we have had severe issues with this storm. Many New Yorkers are in trouble. People are stranded without food, water, electricity, heat and hope of survival. They worry too about their families, their pets, how they can communicate with others, ask for help, and hope for tomorrow.

I know your plan was to come to New York to run our marathon, and I have reluctantly decided to cancel it, so that all our resources may be devoted to those most in need. I hope you will understand this decision, a logical but also painful one.

Now let’s look at the opportunity ahead. I’m not kicking you out of New York. I’m not telling you not to come. Instead, I need you. Please come to New York and help us. No, I don’t have a hotel room for you. Bring a tent, a sleeping bag, or plan to stay with a friend, or a friend of a friend in need.

You’re in shape to run 26 miles? I’ll give you a race you’ll never forget. You’ll be assigned to a group of firemen, policemen, local church groups or the Salvation Army, and believe me you’ll work harder for them and our citizens than you ever expected to work in a marathon.

We need people to hump water up stairs, deliver packaged food, carry pets to shelters, and offer words of reassurance to lonely, frightened people. You’re marathoners. You train every day with a sense of achievement and confidence. I’m inviting you to come to our great city. Help us. We’ll put you to work in one of the most fulfilling days you’ve ever experienced.

And after you share your kindness with us, and help us get back on our feet, I’ll invite you back next year and treat you to the best race experience you ever had.

Thank you for your understanding. I look forward to seeing you in New York.”

Sincerely,

Michael Bloomberg

Mayor, New York City

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Debbie Fetterman has begun her 15th year of covering the area's running and triathlon scenes for The Dallas Morning News. Many of the area's runners and triathletes, estimated to be 100,000 strong, seek out this weekly column every Friday for the latest news and notes about Dallas-Fort Worth area running and multi-sports events and participants.